Helping students cycle safely

At a glance

From encouraging cycling good practice, to hosting national bike events at schools, educational establishments can do their bit to inspire students to safely get on their bikes

Schools can play an important part in educating students by teaching road safety skills, as well as highlighting the risks associated with cycling

Cycling participation is on the increase among children, and can bring obvious physical and environmental benefits

The legacy of cycling’s golden summer at the 2012 London Olympics lives on, especially with our younger generation, who were inspired by the exploits of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Sir Chris Hoy.

Over two million of us now regularly participate in cycling, more than those who play football – and there has been a big rise in the number of children getting on two wheels.

An investment in safer cycling facilities across the UK, including the £1bn plan for cycle routes across London, is encouraging more people than ever to either start cycling or get back on their bikes, boosted by initiatives such as The Times’s Cycling for Cities campaign.

However, more can still be done. Just 2% of primary school pupils cycle to school – despite the average primary school child living just 1.8 miles from school, and research by cycle charity Sustrans found that half of schoolchildren would like to cycle to school.

Experts say that to stay fit, children need at least one hour of moderate physical activity every day – but half of all UK seven-year-olds do not get that, with girls far less active than boys. Children who walk or cycle to school often arrive brighter and more ready to learn than those driven by car, and a US study showed a positive link between physical activity and performance in school tests.

Promoting the benefits of cycling

Events like The Big Pedal, which runs from 2-20 March, aims to inspire pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journeys over a three-week period. And Bike Week is another annual event, held in mid-June, to promote cycling in the UK. Both encourage the obvious physical benefits of cycling, as well as showing how the sport can promote confidence, independence and road craft skills.

According to Ben Merry, Programme Development Officer at Sustrans, The Big Pedal has a lasting effect on the way the school community travels to school. Last year 76% of schools who took part in The Big Pedal said that their pupils continued to cycle to school following the event.

Other cycling schemes are also getting more kids safely on their bikes. Currently, half of all children in England participate in Bikeability training before they leave primary school – which provides children with the skills they need to cycle on today’s roads.

Parental fears

But in many cases, it is parents’ fears that are holding back budding young cyclists – as pedalling on the UK’s roads is often perceived as dangerous.

Rules of the road for child cyclists

Always wear the correct clothing, such as light-coloured or fluorescent clothing – as well as reflective accessories – that can be seen both day and night

A cycle helmet must be worn that conforms to current regulations and is securely fastened

Avoid clothes that may get tangled in a bike chain

At night, a cycle must have white front and red rear lights lit. It must also be fitted with a red rear reflector

Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory, but can make a journey safer

Cycle track rules: Cyclists and pedestrians may be segregated or they may share the same space. When using segregated tracks, cyclists must keep to the side intended for cyclists. Take care when passing pedestrians and allow plenty of room. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary and take care near road junctions

Cyclists must not cycle on a pavement

Cyclists should keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the pedals and never ride more than two abreast on a road

Cyclists should look around before moving off from a kerb, look well ahead for obstructions in the road and be aware of traffic coming up from behind

But although every casualty is one too many, there has been a reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured on our roads. Among child cyclists, there were 11% fewer casualties in 2013 compared to 2012, the lowest level since records began in 1979.

RoSPA, a safety charity, says that around a fifth of all cycling casualties still involve children, and cycling accidents increase as children grow older – with riders aged between 10 -15 being more at risk than any other age group.

Improving cycling safety in schools

For schools, there are many small things that can easily be implemented to encourage and promote cycling safety among students.

From encouraging adoption of the correct rules for cyclists – including the compulsory wearing of helmets and hi-visibility jackets – to educating students on the most common types of cycling accidents and risks, promoting proficiency in cycling doesn’t have to cost large amounts of money.

So, although most schools may never produce an Olympic champion, supporting students to become better and safer cyclists will pay off with health and wellbeing benefits – as well as helping students develop independence and confidence – providing a lasting legacy for the promotion of pedal power.

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